Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was thrown out of Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever after officials upgraded a hard foul on Sophie Cunningham to a flagrant 2.
The play unfolded late in the first quarter at the United Center. Cunningham drove hard to the basket and finished a running layup. Carrington, trying to contest the shot from behind, made solid contact that sent Cunningham tumbling to the floor.
Referees stopped play right away. After a video review initiated by the officials, they ruled the contact excessive and unnecessary. A flagrant 2 foul carries an automatic ejection, so Carrington headed to the locker room with 1:59 still left in the opening period.
She had checked into the game only a few minutes earlier. Her afternoon lasted less than four minutes of action.
Cunningham stayed down briefly, then got up and made the free throw that followed the ejection. She did not appear to engage further with Carrington or the Sky bench.
“DiJonai Carrington was assessed a Flagrant 2 and was ejected from the game after this play,” ESPN posted along with the replay.
Flagrant 2 fouls do not automatically trigger a suspension for the next contest. League officials routinely review such plays after the final buzzer to decide whether extra discipline, such as a fine or further suspension, is needed.
Carrington joined the Sky this season after stops with the Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings and Minnesota Lynx. She missed the early part of the year recovering from foot surgery and had only recently returned to the rotation.
The Fever entered the matchup as one of the league’s more competitive teams, buoyed by the continued presence of Caitlin Clark and a supporting cast that includes Cunningham. Physical play has marked several of their recent outings.
Sky fans at the United Center reacted with a mix of groans and applause as the ejection was announced. The home crowd had anticipated a lively afternoon contest between two clubs still fighting for positioning in the standings.
Neither team issued an immediate public statement on the foul. Players and coaches typically wait until after the game or the following day to address on-court discipline.
League history shows that reviews of flagrant fouls sometimes result in additional penalties when the contact is judged especially dangerous or reckless. Other times the on-court ejection stands as the only consequence.
Cunningham has been involved in several high-profile physical moments this season, including a lengthy staredown with a former teammate earlier in the year. On this occasion she simply absorbed the hit and continued playing.
The rest of the first half proceeded without further ejections. Both sides traded baskets in a contest that remained competitive after the early interruption.
Carrington’s quick exit left the Sky short-handed on the wing for the remainder of the afternoon. Chicago’s coaching staff adjusted by turning to other available guards and forwards.
Further word from the WNBA on any possible fine or suspension is expected in the coming days once the league completes its standard review process.
